Variable Gain Amplifier and Ac Power Supply Device Using the Same

ABSTRACT

A variable gain amplifier includes first and second power supply terminals arranged to be connected to a power supply, a transconductance amplifier, first and second PN junction elements, a voltage drop element, first and second resistors, a current-generating transistor, and a current mirror. The transconductance amplifier outputs a current corresponding to a difference between a potential of a base of the first initial stage transistor and a potential of a base of the second initial stage transistor. An emitter of the second initial stage transistor is connected to the emitter of the first initial stage transistor at a node. Each of the first and second PN junction elements has a first end connected to the base of the first initial stage transistor and a second end. The voltage drop element is connected between the second end of the first PN junction element and the first power supply terminal. The first resistor is connected between the base of the second initial stage transistor and a first signal source which is a voltage source. The current-generating transistor has a collector connected to the base of the first initial stage transistor and a base connected to the first signal source. The second resistor is connected between the emitter of the current-generating transistor and the second power supply terminal. The current mirror is connected to the node, and allows a current to flow to the node, the current being identical to a current flowing from the second signal source which is a current source. This variable gain amplifier generates no non-linear distortion, and has a small size.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a variable gain amplifier and an alternating current (AC) power-supply device including the amplifier.

BACKGROUND ART

In a conventional variable gain amplifier disclosed in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-308662, the characteristic of the base-emitter voltage of each of initial stage transistors Q₁ and Q₂ versus the collector current is expressed as an exponential function, hence providing an output voltage V0 with a non-linear distortion.

In order to reduce this distortion, a resistor is inserted in series to the emitter of each of initial stage transistors Q1 and Q2. This arrangement may reduce the non-linear distortion, but cannot completely eliminate the distortion.

A multiplier circuit provides a variable gain amplifier which does not generate the non-linear distortion in principle. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of multiplier circuit 5001. Integrated circuit (IC) 1 includes transconductance amplifier 2 and a pair of PN junction elements 4, and includes seven terminals, that is, power-supply terminal 1A (+Vcc), power-supply terminal 1B (−Vcc), input terminal IC (INV), input terminal 1D (NI), input terminal 1E (BIAS), input terminal IF (DB), and output terminal 1G (OUT).

Constant-current supply 101 (ID) is connected to input terminal IF. Constant power supply 103 (½I_(D)) outputting a ½ of the current from constant current supply 101 and signal input power supply (IX) are connected to input terminal 1C. Current Iout is output from output terminal 1G.

Amplifier 2 includes four current mirrors 5A to 5D and two initial stage transistors Q1 and Q2. Pair of PN junction elements 4 are configured by two diodes D₁ and D₂.

An operation of multiplier circuit 5001 will be described below.

The following quantity is defined by charge q of an electron, the Boltzmann constant K, and absolute temperature T:

VT=K·T/q

Voltage V_(BE) between the base and emitter of a transistor is expressed by the following equation with emitter current I_(E), saturated current I_(SAT) and collector current I_(C). Base current I_(B) is much smaller than a collector current, hence providing I_(E)≈I_(C).

V _(BE) =V _(T)·ln(I _(E) /I _(SAT))=V _(T)·ln(I _(C) /I _(SAT))

Forward direction voltage VD of a diode is expressed by the following equation with forward direction current ID of the diode.

V _(D) =V _(T)·ln(I _(D) /I _(SAT))

The Kirchhoff's law is applied between points A and B shown in FIG. 7, providing the following equations.

V _(T)·ln(I _(D1) /I _(SAT))+VT·ln(I ₁ /I _(SAT))=V _(T)·ln(I _(D2) /I _(SAT))+V _(T)·ln(I ₂ /I _(SAT))  (Equation 1)

(I _(D1) /I _(SAT))·(I ₁ /I _(SAT))=(I _(D2) /I _(SAT))·(I ₂ /I _(SAT))

I _(D1) ·I ₁ =I _(D2) ·I ₂  (Equation 2)

I _(D1)=(½)·I _(D) +I _(X)  (Equation 3)

I _(D2)=(½)·I _(D) −I _(X)  (Equation 4)

I ₁=(½)·Iy+Iout  (Equation 5)

I ₂=(½)·Iy−Iout  (Equation 6)

From Equation 3, Equation 6 is assigned into Equation 2, providing the following equations.

Ix·Iy=I _(D) ·Iout

Iout=Ix·Iy/I _(D)  (Equation 7)

Based upon Equation 7, when current 1D is constant, the product of input currents Ix and Iy is obtained from output terminal 1G as current Iout. When input current Iy is constant, the dividend obtained by dividing input current Ix by input current 1D is obtained as output current Iout. Equation 7 includes no term of exponential function, and includes only terms of linear function, hence allowing multiplier circuit 5001 to generate no linear distortion in principle. Input current Ix and input current Iy are used as a signal input and a control input, respectively, thereby providing a variable gain amplifier generating no linear distortion in principle.

Multiplier circuit 5001 requires input terminal 1F for inputting a current to IC 1 from constant current supply 101, hence causing IC 1 to include seven terminals. An IC generally includes an even number of terminals, thus IC 1 necessarily includes a package having eight terminals.

Under recent demands for light weight and small electronic apparatuses, it is very important whether the IC package includes eight pins or six pins. In IC 1 accommodating multiplier circuit 5001, an area occupied by pads used for connecting terminals is greater than an area of a chip implementing circuit 5001. Thus, the area of the pads corresponding to the number of terminals influences the area of the chip, and is greatly reflected in the yield and costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A variable gain amplifier includes first and second power supply terminals arranged to be connected to a power supply, a transconductance amplifier, first and second PN junction elements, a voltage drop element, first and second resistors, a current-generating transistor, and a current mirror. The transconductance amplifier outputs a current corresponding to a difference between a potential of a base of the first initial stage transistor and a potential of a base of the second initial stage transistor. An emitter of the second initial stage transistor is connected to the emitter of the first initial stage transistor at a node. Each of the first and second PN junction elements has a first end connected to the base of the first initial stage transistor and a second end. The voltage drop element is connected between the second end of the first PN junction element and the first power supply terminal. The first resistor is connected between the base of the second initial stage transistor and a first signal source which is a voltage source. The current-generating transistor has a collector connected to the base of the first initial stage transistor and a base connected to the first signal source. The second resistor is connected between the emitter of the current-generating transistor and the second power supply terminal. The current mirror is connected to the node, and allows a current to flow to the node, the current being identical to a current flowing from the second signal source which is a current source.

This variable gain amplifier generates no non-linear distortion, and has a small size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a variable gain amplifier in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an integrated circuit of the variable gain amplifier in accordance with the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of another integrated circuit of the variable gain amplifier in accordance with the embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a circuit diagram of another variable gain amplifier in accordance with the embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram of still another variable gain amplifier in accordance with the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of an alternating-current (AC) power-supply device in accordance with the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of another AC power-supply device in accordance with the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a conventional variable gain amplifier.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   2 Transconductance Amplifier -   3 Voltage Drop Element -   4A PN Junction Element (First PN Junction Element) -   4B PN Junction Element (Second PN Junction Element) -   5C Current Mirror -   10A Power Supply Terminal -   10B Power Supply Terminal -   10G Output Terminal -   501 Signal Source (First Signal Source) -   502 Signal Source (Second Signal Source) -   FET₁ Electric Field Effect Transistor -   Q₁ Initial Stage Transistor (First Initial Stage Transistor) -   Q₂ Initial Stage Transistor (Second Initial Stage Transistor) -   R₁₀ Resistor (Second Resistor) -   R₁₁ Resistor (First Resistor) -   Tr₁ Current-Generating Transistor

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a variable gain amplifier 1001 including a multiplier circuit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, components identical to those of conventional multiplier circuit 5001 shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Unlike conventional multiplier circuit 5001 shown in FIG. 7, variable gain amplifier 1001 shown in FIG. 1 does not require input terminal 1F.

As shown in FIG. 1, integrated circuit (IC) 10 includes transconductance amplifier 2, voltage drop element 3, and a pair of PN junction elements 4A and 4B. IC 10 includes six 6 terminals, that is, power supply terminal 10A (Vcc), input terminal 10C (INV), input terminal 10D (NI), input terminal 10E (BIAS), output terminal 10G (OUT), and power supply terminal 10B (GND) functioning as a ground. Power supply Vcc has an end Vcc1 connected to power supply terminal 10A, and has an end Vcc2 connected to power supply terminal 10B.

PN junction elements 4A and 4B are implemented by diodes D₁ and D₂, respectively. An end 3A of voltage drop element 3 is connected to power supply terminal 10A (Vcc) so that a voltage dropping by a voltage V₃ from the voltage of power supply terminal 10A appears at an end 3B of voltage drop element 3. Respective anodes of diodes D₁ and D₂ are connected to the end 3B of voltage drop element 3. The cathode of diode D₁ is connected to input terminal 10C (INV). The collector of current-generating transistor Tr₁ is connected to input terminal 10C, and the emitter of current-generating transistor Tr₁ is connected to an end R₁₀A of resistor R₁₀. An end R₁₀B of resistor R₁₀ is connected to power supply Vcc (power supply terminal 10B). Voltage Vs of signal source 501 is applied to the base of current-generating transistor Tr1. Signal source 501 is biased by DC bias Vb. Input terminal 10D (NI) is connected to signal source 501 via resistor R₁₁.

A potential of a node where diode D₁ and the collector of current-generating transistor Tr₁ is connected and a potential of a node where resistor R₁₁ and diode D₂ are connected are input as differential inputs to transconductance amplifier 2.

The current flowing in a common emitter of initial stage transistors Q₁ and Q₂ providing an initial stage differential amplifier of transconductance amplifier 2 is controlled via current mirror 5C by current Ic of signal source 502, a current source.

Transconductance amplifier 2 includes initial stage transistors Q1 and Q2. The emitter of initial stage transistor Q1 is connected to the emitter of initial stage transistor Q2 at a node 2P. Current Iout corresponding to a difference between a potential of the base of initial stage transistor Q1 and a potential of the base of initial stage transistor Q2 is output from output terminal 10G. Diode D₁, i.e., PN junction element 4A, has an end (anode) and an end (cathode) that is connected to the base of initial stage transistor Q1. Diode D₂, i.e., PN junction element 4B, has an end (anode) and an end (cathode) that is connected to the base of initial stage transistor Q2. The cathodes of diodes D₁ and D₂ are connected to each other. Voltage drop element 3 is connected between the cathodes of diodes D₁ and D₂ and power supply terminal 10A. Resistor R₁₁ is connected between the base of initial stage transistor Q2 and signal source 501, a voltage source. The collector of current-generating transistor Tr₁ is connected to the base of initial stage transistor Q₁. The base of current-generating transistor Tr₁ is connected to signal source 501. Resistor R₁₀ is connected between power supply terminal 10B and the emitter of current-generating transistor Tr₁. Current mirror 5C is connected to the node 2P to cause a current identical to current Ic flowing from signal source 501, the current source, to flow in the node 2P. That is, current mirror 5C makes the sum of currents flowing through the emitters of initial stage transistors Q1 and Q2 equal to current Ic.

In variable gain amplifier 1001 according to the embodiment, while the sum (current I_(D)) of currents I_(D1) and I_(D2) flowing in diodes D₁ and D₂ is kept constant, an input signal is added to current ID1, and current Ic is applied to the BIAS terminal. Similarly to conventional multiplier circuit 5001 shown in FIG. 7, according to Equations 1 to 7, when ID is constant, the product of input currents Is and Ic is obtained from output terminal 10G as current Iout, thus providing a multiplying function.

A method for adding an input signal to current I_(D1) while the sum (current ID) of currents I_(D1) and I_(D2) is kept constant will be described. Each of resistors R₁₀ and R₁₁ has a resistance R. A voltage (0.7V) between the base and emitter of current-generating transistor Tr₁ will be neglected.

I _(D1)=(Vb+Vs)/R

I _(D2)=(Vcc−V ₃−(Vb+Vs))/R

I _(D1) +I _(D2)=(Vcc−V ₃)/R

Thus, the sum (I_(D1)+I_(D2)) of currents I_(D1) and I_(D2) is constant regardless of voltage Vs of signal source 501.

If an offset is to be adjusted, resistor R₁₂ is adjusted so that currents I_(D1) and I_(D2) are equal to each other when no signal is input (Vs=0). Therefore, upon amplifying an alternating-current (AC) signal without taking a direct-current component into consideration, R₁₂ may not be necessary.

In FIG. 1, current-generating transistor Tr₁ and resistors R₁₀ and R₁₁ input voltage Vs of signal source 501 to input terminals 10C and 10D as input current Is. Currents I_(D1) and I_(D2) flowing in diodes D₁ and D₂ have phases opposite to each other.

In FIG. 1, a term of Equation 7 is expressed by the following equation.

ID=I _(D1) +I _(D2)

Ix=Is

Iy=Ic

From Equation 7, output current Iout is expressed by the following equation.

Iout=Is·Ic/(I _(D1) +I _(D2))

Since (I_(D1)+I_(D2)) is constant regardless of voltage Vs, the gain of variable gain amplifier 1001 shown in FIG. 1 is determined by current Ic to be input to input terminal 10E. Since this equation includes only the term of linear function, variable gain amplifier 1001 does not generate any non-linear distortion in principle. That is, the ratio of current Iout output from output terminal 10G to voltage Vs of signal source 501 of transconductance amplifier 2 is variable according to current Ic flowing from signal source 502.

Diodes D₁ and D₂ and initial stage transistors Q₁ and Q₂ need to be kept at the same temperature so as to perform the multiplying function accurately, and are preferably arranged on a single silicon substrate as an IC. Diodes D₁ and D₂, a pair of PN junction elements 4A and 4B, preferably have the same characteristics and the same junction temperature, and are preferably placed inside the IC.

As described above, according to the embodiment, IC 10 has six terminals, and accommodated in a package identical to that of a small-signal transistor, which is the smallest IC, effectively meeting demands for thin and small-size electronic apparatuses. IC 10 includes the six terminals, and has an area of a chip much smaller than that of an IC including eight pins, being advantageous from the viewpoints of yield and cost.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of integrated circuit 10 for showing transconductance amplifier 2 and voltage drop element 3. In the case that diodes D₁ and D₂ of PN junction elements 4A and 4B are configured by an IC, transistors with diode-connection, i.e., with the collector and the base of each of the transistors being connected to each other, are actually used as diodes D₁ and D₂.

Transconductance amplifier 2 is configured by four current mirrors 5A to 5D and two initial stage transistors Q₁ and Q₂. Each of current mirrors 5A to 5D is configured by three transistors Q₅, Q₆, and Q₇.

Voltage drop element 3 applies appropriate potentials input to transconductance amplifier 2, that is, to the bases of initial stage transistors Q₁ and Q₂. Element 3 includes two transistors Q₈ and Q₉ that utilize a forward-direction voltage drop of diode and resistor R₃ as an impedance element connected between transistors Q₈ and Q₉. Voltage drop element 3 may be an element, such as a zener diode, that drops a voltage.

FIG. 3 is another circuit diagram of integrated circuit 10. As shown in FIG. 3, PN junction elements 4A and 4B are implemented by a PN junction between the base and emitter of each of transistors Q₃ and Q₄.

FIG. 4A is a circuit diagram of variable gain amplifier 1001A according to the embodiment. Variable gain amplifier 1001A includes field effect transistor FET₁ instead of current-generating transistor Tr1 of variable gain amplifier 1001 shown in FIG. 1. The drain, the gate and the source of field effect transistor FET₁ are connected instead of the collector, the base, and the emitter of current-generating transistor Tr₁, respectively.

FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram of another IC 110 of variable gain amplifier 1001 according to the embodiment. IC 110 has an arrangement of voltage drop element 3, PN junction elements 4A and 4B, current-generating transistor Tr₁, and resistor R₁₀ is opposite to that of IC 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the other portions are arranged in the same manner. That is, the anode of diode D₁ is connected to input terminal 110C and the base of initial stage transistor Q₁, and the anode of diode D₂ is connected to input terminal 110D and the base of transistor Q₂. The cathodes of diode D1 and D2 are connected to end 3A of voltage drop element 3. End 3B of voltage drop element 3 is connected to power supply terminal 110B connected to the ground. IC 110 provides the same effects as those of IC 10 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4B, resistor R₁₂ for adjusting offset is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of showing alternating-current (AC) constant voltage power supply device 2001 including variable gain amplifier 1001 according to the embodiment. Wave-form generator 11 generates a waveform of an AC voltage to be desirably obtained as an output. In order to generate an AC voltage having a sine wave form, wave-form generator 11 generates a sine wave voltage. The sine wave voltage output from wave-form generator 11 is applied to current-generating transistor Tr₁ and resistor R₁₁ so that sine wave current Iout is obtained from output terminal 10G of IC 10. Resistor R₁₇ converts sine wave current Iout output from IC 10 into a sine wave voltage. This sine wave voltage is input to power amplifier 12.

The sine wave voltage input to power amplifier 12 is amplified, and is applied to primary coil N₁ of transformer 13 for driving transformer 13. A sine wave AC voltage is output from secondary coil N₂ of transformer 13 via output terminals 13A and 13B.

Tertiary coil N₃ of the transformer generates an AC voltage in proportion to the output AC voltage, and the AC voltage is converted into a pulsating voltage by a rectifier circuit configured by diodes D₁₀, D₁₁, D₁₂, and D₁₃ and resistor R₁₉. Resistor R₁₉ is a dummy load resistor for obtaining an appropriate pulsating voltage. The pulsating voltage is smoothed by a low pass filter configured by resistor R₁₄ and capacitor C₁₀, providing a direct-current (DC) voltage in proportion to the AC voltage output from output terminals 13A and 13B. That is, the rectifier circuit and the low pass filter provides output voltage detector 14 that detects the AC voltage output from output terminals 13A and 13B, and generates the DC voltage as a detection signal.

Comparator OP₁ compares the DC voltage with reference voltage Vref, and outputs a voltage corresponding to a difference obtained by subtracting the DC voltage from reference voltage Vref. The output voltage is input to input terminal 10E of IC 10 as current Ic via resistor R₁₃. If the DC voltage is lowered to increase the difference from reference voltage Vref, the voltage output from by comparator OP1 increases as to allow variable gain amplifier 1001 to increase the AC voltage output from output terminals 13A and 13B. The AC voltage output through such a negative feedback is stabilized. If the output voltage is changed, reference voltage Vref is changed, or the voltage output from output voltage detector 14 is voltage-divided and changed. Resistors R₁₅ and R₁₆ and capacitor C₁₁ constitute a phase compensating circuit used for stably performing the negative feedback. Output voltage detector 14, comparator OP₁, reference voltage Vref, resistors R₁₃, R₁₅, and R₁₆, and capacitor C₁₁ provide a feedback circuit that feedbacks the amplitude of the output AC voltage as current Ic.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of AC constant current power-supply device 3001 in accordance with this embodiment. In FIG. 6, components identical to those of AC constant voltage power supply device 2001 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Resistor R₁₈ generates an AC voltage in proportion to an AC current flowing in output terminals 13A and 13B. The generated AC voltage is converted into a DC voltage by a rectifier circuit including diodes D₁₅ and D₁₄ and a low pass filter including capacitor C₁₀ and resistor R₁₄. That is, the rectifier circuit and the low pass filter provides output current detector 15 for detecting an AC current flowing in output terminals 13A and 13B, and outputs a DC voltage in proportional to the current. Similarly to constant voltage power supply device 2001 shown in FIG. 5, comparator OP₁ outputs a voltage corresponding to a difference obtained by subtracting the DC voltage from reference voltage Vref. IC 10 drives transformer 13 via power amplifier 12 in accordance with the voltage output from comparator OP₁ so that a DC voltage output from output current detector 15 becomes identical to reference voltage Vref. This operation stabilizes the current flowing through output terminals 13A and 13B as a constant current. Resistor R₁₉ is a dummy load resistor for setting a pulsating voltage output from the rectifier circuit to an appropriate level. Output current detector 15, comparator OP₁, reference voltage Vref, and resistor R₁₁ provide a feedback circuit that feedbacks the amplitude of the output AC voltage as current Ic.

Variable gain amplifier 1001 in accordance with the embodiment provides AC power supply devices 2001 and 3001 outputting a constant voltage and a constant current which are variable, respectively.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This variable gain amplifier generates no non-linear distortion, and has a small size, being applicable to an AC power supply device outputting a variable current. This, variable gain amplifier is useful for various power supply devices and power systems, such as uninterruptive power supply devices and electrophotographic processing power supply devices for photocopy machines, printers. 

1. A variable gain amplifier comprising: a first power supply terminal arranged to be connected to a first end of a power supply; a second power supply terminal arranged to be connected to a second end of the power supply; a transconductance amplifier including a first initial stage transistor having an emitter, a base and a collector, a second initial stage transistor having an emitter connected to the emitter of the first initial stage transistor at a node, a base and a collector, and an output terminal for outputting a current corresponding to a difference between a potential of the base of the first initial stage transistor and a potential of the base of the second initial stage transistor; a first PN junction element having a first end connected to the base of the first initial stage transistor and a second end; a second PN junction element having a first end connected to the base of the second initial stage transistor and a second end connected to the second end of the first PN junction element; a voltage drop element connected between the second end of the first PN junction element and the first power supply terminal; a first resistor connected between the base of the second initial stage transistor and a first signal source serving which is a voltage source; a current-generating transistor having a collector connected to the base of the first initial stage transistor, a base connected to the first signal source, and an emitter; a second resistor connected between the emitter of the current-generating transistor and the second power supply terminal; and a current mirror connected to the node, the current mirror allowing a current to flow to the node, the current being identical to a current flowing from the second signal source which is a current source.
 2. The variable gain amplifier according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of the current output from the output terminal to a voltage of the first signal source of the transconductance amplifier is variable according to the current flowing from the second signal source.
 3. The variable gain amplifier according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated circuit accommodating the first PN junction element, the second PN junction element, the transconductance amplifier, and the current mirror, the integrated circuit including a first input terminal connected to the base of the first initial stage transistor, a second input terminal connected to the base of the second initial stage transistor, a third input terminal which is a node where the current mirror is connected to the second signal source, the first power supply terminal, the second power supply terminal, and the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier,
 4. The variable gain amplifier according to claim 1, further comprising a field effect transistor instead of the current-generating transistor, wherein a drain, a gate, and a source of the field effect transistor are connected instead of the collector, the base, and the emitter of the current-generating transistor, respectively.
 5. An alternating-current (AC) power supply device comprising: the variable gain amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a wave-form generator serving as the first signal source; a power amplifier amplifying the current output from the output terminal of the transconductance amplifier, and outputs an AC power; and a feedback circuit that feedbacks an amplitude of the output AC power as the current flowing from the second signal source. 